iFit’s 2014 Boston Marathon Runners

iFit’s 2014 Boston Marathon Runners

The 2014 Boston Marathon is just 55 day’s away and is set to be one of the biggest and best in history, with 36,000 runners.

We are excited to be sending three iFit customers to run the marathon this year. Please join us in cheering them on in their training and on race day.

Here is a little about each runner, including their running history and how their training is coming along (all in their words).

DANIEL HARRIS

My training is going well, I’ve been carrying a mild foot injury since the Detroit Marathon last October, but I think I’m finally starting to see the end of it.

Due to living in Michigan, what with the Arctic Vortex, I’ve only been running on the treadmill since the very end of Dec. I’ve covered 240 miles in about 7 weeks. That includes the two marathons I ran in 3 days to win the iFit competition and a spot to run in the Boston Marathon.

As far as my running history, I’ve been running since I was about 12 years old and I ran 10 mile races when I was 16, but I only did my first marathon in 2011, one month before I turned 40 years of age. Since then I’ve run Detroit two more times with a personal best last year of 3.35. I also pb’d on my half last year in the Brooksie (a local run in MI) with 1.33. My furthest run to date was a 50k.

This year I’m doing Boston in April and am signed up for Toledo the week after. I also plan to do Chicago later in the year.

As someone who thought I might never get to run Boston, it’s a real honor to be able to go. I know it’s going to be amazing to run with so many other dedicated runners, so I can’t wait for the big day. I’ve mapped out the Boston marathon in 4 segments and I’ve probably run it 4 times already, so I’m really getting familiar with the course thanks to my treadmill. I hate running a course I don’t know, it feels like it’s twice as far, so it’s building my confidence by going over it many times.

KRISTEN FOWLER

I am 31 years of age from Teachey, North Carolina. I started running in 2006 and ran my first 5k in March 2007. From there I continued to run in 5K races and found that I enjoyed them. Later on, I started running 10K races until I eventually got brave to run a Half Marathon.

I run for my health but during every race I am running for something or someone, always dedicating at least a mile to all my fellow military troops.

I am so very excited about Boston, yet I am very nervous at the same time. Boston is the oldest Marathon and I am so very happy to be a part of it this year. I am excited about getting to run in a city I have never seen before and in the city where our country made it’s history and start. Rest assured, I am very excited and I will be running for a lot and praying for many in the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon.

KATIE PRESTON

I am 34 years old from Atlanta Georgia, and have only been running the last 3 years. I never really thought of myself as a runner until I had knee surgery in 2010. The first thing the physical therapist told me after surgery was “no running.” It was in that moment that I became a runner. It took me a few months to build myself to a point where I could actually run, but mentally on that day, something clicked inside me. In 2011, I began my running journey, first training for a 5K, then moving up to a 10K, and my first half marathon at Walt Disney World that October. I realized that I wasn’t consistent in my running without a race on the horizon, so in 2012, I did an event every month. I started to get the marathon itch that year too, and signed up to run the 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon in January 2013. I met some amazing people at that race, who became my new “best running friends” that have encouraged me to keep dreaming. I also finished the Chicago and Marine Corp marathons in 2013.

As I sat at my desk watching the Boston Marathon last year, I dreamed of a time when I would be able to run down Boylston Street and cross the iconic finish line. I turned off the feed and went back to work after the elites finished, but a few hours later was jolted by the news of the bombings. My heart broke for the tragedy occurring at the same place where triumph had been happening all day. As part of the larger running community, I felt closer to my brothers and sisters in running that day because of what happened. I knew somehow in 2014 I wanted to be part of Boston, but never dreamed I would be able to do it as a participant. I knew about charity slots, but the competition to get a place even with a charity was difficult.

After I finished Chicago in the fall, I decided on a plan to get me to Boston in 5 years. I would compete in a World Marathon Major every year until the year I turned 40 – that would be MY year at Boston. The only option for me to do this in 2014 was in New York, as all the other races had already completed registration when I made this my dream. Little did I know that my opportunity to run Boston would come sooner than I imagined. I saw the iFit contest on Twitter, and entered a couple times, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win!

The day I got the news, I was a mess of emotions. Squealing in delight when I got the notification to crying at the realization that I would be getting my chance to run the most prestigious race in the world in a couple of months. I cannot believe that my chance to be part of Boston’s history is coming so soon, but you can bet, I still plan to find myself there again in a few years, this time, as a qualified participant! Thanks again to iFit for this experience. Words can’t describe just how excited I am!!!!!

WARNING: This post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFit assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.